twoleftears +1 excellent question.
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nonoise, thanks, I was looking at Cullen and using AQ already for source components; don't yet know TWL or those covered in the review, but will soon.The road goes on forever and the party never ends, eh? I'll assume, although nobody ever quite says it, that the Pangea firehoses are all for show? |
Many lessons here, and thanks for them. Seems there are more worthy PCs in heaven and earth than had been dreamt of in my philosophy. Maybe should have asked "non-DIYers, what PCs do YOU use for wall out to amp, conditioner, subs?" My budget for current project is <$500 per cord. |
Such a trove of valuable leads, thanks to all. Can't guess how any particular cords will sound in my own (ever-evolving) system, but I feel sure the worthiest contenders have all been named, many of them dittoed. So I'm starting with Zavfino (thx to lalitk & williewonka) with the other thirty candidates standing ready in the playlist. After all, it's more about the journey than the illusory destination, right? |
@bigby an earlier post says the 7 awg Pangea sound like throwing a blanket over your system. Yes, they are visually impressive, but have you compared their SOUND against other upgrade power cords, or only against the stock cords included with your amp? |
@lowrider57 , @bigby Much appreciate the additional detail. This info on Pangea, coupled with discussions of others above, tells me there's no perfect, one-size-fits-all PC that will sound best with each of 100 different amps with 100 different designs. Now I'm wondering whether the difference in design between a 250W Class A/AB power amp and a 1000W Class D sub amp wouldn't almost necessarily require different wires? Or maybe all PCs will sound the same with a device whose frequency range rolls off at -24dB above 31Hz? "Transparency" would seem a moot concern in the domain of sound waves 11-17 meters long. |
@ghdprentice Thanks, very helpful. Others here also seem sold on the "same company for all wires in the system" approach, so must be something to it. Would take me a while to get there, however, with several different PC/IC brands in the current setup including PS Audio, Morrow, AudioQuest, Pangea. Anyhow I have Zavfino, Cullen, Pangea "high current amp" cords in the current queue for testing, with Signal and others on standby as needed. |
@verdantaudio I'm pleased to see that the Puritan Ultimates are no costlier than the AQ "storm" series, and the Clarus are within my budget relative to price of my amps. And so the list grows longer still.
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@prebs, as it happens I have an unopened Pangea AC9SEII ("100% Cardas copper") leaning against the wall, awaiting the time when my conditioner arrives and the sub can move to its intended placement. Power amp has been running on an earlier edition of AC9 since I got it. But never compared to anything else. Mid-grade Zavfino arriving today & I will test it for a while. Ice Age on order for the sub, AQ NRG-Z3 for DAC, and an inquiry in to Cullen on Crossover Series. May as well dance with other plausible contenders now that they've been properly introduced & I opened the door. Due diligence, you know.
@missioncoonery, I wish MC had told us what PC he uses with his Blackhawk. Probably some elaborate DIY setup that I could never replicate and wouldn't need, but still, this is one instance when I hoped he would tell us more rather than nothing. Also, given that "high current" is just the mfrs' own designation for their amp cables, I can't fathom the mockery. And since Pangea AC9 is itself a well-made iteration of MC's own facetious "suggestion," maybe he was just obliquely scorning "firehose" PCs in general. |
@cooperjack, LOL, Anticables sounded like a joke, but I see they are real and you're not kidding. Actually they look much like other brands recommended in this thread, and in the same price range, so thanks for that ;-)
@larry5729 +1. I'm an admitted newbie in the cable comparison game, much in need of experienced guidance. Most responses have been both gracious and helpful, and for those I am thankful. Indeed, some who post snarky comments on one subject will give beneficial advice on other subjects, MC being an example. As for those who are only here to make mischief, I just try to ignore them. |
Surprised to learn there is a Shunyata (barely) within my range. If the sound is as impressive as the words I've just read about it, a definite contender. |
@ozzy thanks for the warning about plastic parts. Many of the cables recommended here do use plastic at the terminals -- one reason why they fall in the "budget" category, no doubt. I will certainly explore durability record before buying anything with plastic. |
Epilogue #1: Thanks to contributions on this forum, I am already auditioning Zavfino 10awg on my power amp and Ice Age 10awg on subwoofer in a temporary placemement. Zavfino was instantly brighter than the 7awg Pangea I had been using, and more open (not more detailed) in the frequency range above female vocals. But with notably less bass control, and even some bloat around 80Hz. (Worse, all my favored tracks, pulled from various albums by Kathleen Edwards, began sounding dull, and remained so until I brought a subwoofer online).
Love the Zavfino build quality, but this will soon be replaced by the "new" (to me) Pangea 9SE MkII Signature, and saved for future uses. (And if the updated Pangea doesn't outperform the old standard issue on the amp, will try Zavfino on the conditioner).
A 10' run of Ice Age on the subwoofer for only $159, a standard size for them, with no tax and free shipping, is a remarkable bargain. Though once the sub reaches its permanent placement (unavailable until backordered power conditioner arrives), I will switch this for a 7' Cullen Crossover Series in 10awg.
So right there are three mfrs I had never heard of before posting this inquiry. In addition, I received an offer to audition spare Puritan and even higher-end PCs once the system has been stabilized. So count me thankful for this forum and gratified by the many generous and helpful suggestions. (Those ritually denying the benefit of quality PCs are neither helpful nor generous, but then we knew that already).
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